Don't Miss This! – June 9th D.C. Statehood "Teach-In"

Raise Taxes, Cut Services? Why Those Choices?

A cash strapped, revenue hungry D.C. Government --- like so many governments, at all levels --- is struggling with a projected budget gap reaching into several hundred million dollars. The solution on the table is to increase income, by raising taxes and cut costs, by eliminating services.

Yet many have argued, over the years that the answer to our revenue-expenditure gap rests with a change in the structure of government --- Statehood for D.C. That view prompted Dr. Andrew Brimmer, a former Member of the Federal Reserve Board to proclaim in 1984, that the question was not could D.C. afford to be a state, but more appropriately, could we afford not to be a state.

As part of this year's D.C. Statehood "Teach In," scheduled for June 9th, on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol, this matter will again be explored by a panel of experts. The Teach In runs from Noon to 9:00 p.m., and the expert panel will present at 6:00 p.m. From Noon to 4:00 p.m., there will be multiple tables set up, designed to assist congressional staffers and educate the public on the financial impact of our current Home Rule status. From 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. will be testimonials in words and music, from veterans, those concerned with reproductive freedom, gun control advocates, those fighting for decent, affordable housing and against homelessness and others, bringing to life that impact. Following the expert panel presentation, there will be an exciting musical presentation from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The Teach In will conclude at dusk with a candle light vigil, illuminating the night sky, from 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. The entire Teach In is free and open to the public.

The Expert Panel

Dr. Toni-Michelle C. Travis

Ed Lazere

Dr. Garry Young

Yvette Mouton, Esq.

Dr. Toni-Michelle C. Travis is an Associate Professor of Government and Politics at George Mason University. Her latest book Democratic Destiny and the District of Columbia is co-authored with the late Dr. Ronald Walters. Ed Lazere has led the work of the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute since it was established in 2001. Prior to that, he was a policy analyst for 12 years at DCFPI’s parent organization, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. He holds a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Maryland. Dr. Garry Young is Associate Director, George Washington Institute of Public Policy, and Associate Research Professor, Department of Political Science, both at George Washington University. He is the author of “The District of Columbia and its Lack of Representation in Congress: What Difference Does It Make?" The Panel will be moderated by Attorney Yvette Mouton. Ms. Mouton formerly worked for the United States Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia under Joe DiGenova and New Jersey under Michael Chertoff and is a former Television News Anchorwoman.